The Bozeman Bucks got out to a six-run lead in the fifth inning and held on for an 8-6 victory over the Helena Senators on Friday in the State AA baseball tournament at Dehler Park in Billings.
Bozeman is seeking its second consecutive State AA title and is guaranteed a berth in the championship.
Bozeman trailed 2-0 early, but the Bucks grabbed an 8-2 advantage after five innings.
The Senators scored four runs in the top of the sixth in the failed comeback on a single by Victor Scott, a fielder's choice by Matt Burton and a single by Ethan Keintz.
An early lead helped propel the Bucks to victory. Bozeman scored on a walk by Carsten Simcox, a single by Ethan Faure and a fielder's choice by Parker McMan in the second inning.
Bozeman pulled away for good with three runs in the second inning. In the second, Simcox drew a walk, scoring one run, Faure singled on a 1-2 count, scoring one run, and Keintz induced McMan to hit into a fielder's choice, but one run scored.
Bozeman scored four runs in the fifth inning. The big inning was thanks to singles by Sage McMinn, Simcox, Faure and Hubley.
McMinn was on the mound for Bozeman. He went 5 1/3 innings, allowing six runs on four hits and striking out five.
Keintz toed the rubber for Helena. He allowed nine hits and eight runs over six innings, striking out two.
Bozeman had nine hits in the game. Faure, Alton Gyselman and Hubley all managed multiple hits for Bozeman. Hubley, Gyselman and Faure all had two hits to lead the Bucks.
Helena scattered six hits in the game. Tylor Tenney and Scott each racked up multiple hits for the Senators.
For updated scores and pairings from the State AA tournament, please click here.
